Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a stunning turn-based RPG with fast-paced combat, a deep narrative and a unique artistic world. It throws you into a mysterious realm where, each year, a strange Paintress erases lives. As part of the 33rd Expedition, it’s your mission to break the cycle and survive.
The game stands out with its breathtaking story and unique gameplay. But with so much depth and mystery, it’s not always clear what to focus on or what secrets are waiting to be uncovered. This guide is here to help you get started and make the most of your journey!
Exploration Matters More Than Ever
Right from the beginning, you will get access to interactions and optional fights that grant early stat-boosting items. Don’t skip these. Exploring the map not only gives context to the world and past expeditions, but it also rewards you with:
- Outfits
- Music records
- Upgrade materials
- Hidden quests
- Optional traversal skills (like breaking blue rocks or diving)
Exploration is at the heart of Clair Obscur, with hidden details and rewards waiting to be uncovered in every corner of the world. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time spent exploring:
- Stick to the Golden Paint: This mysterious trail helps guide your path. It doesn’t always point to the most exciting secrets, but if you’re lost, it will guide your way back to the main story.
- Talk to Everyone: Interacting with NPCs isn’t just for lore. Many have hidden dialogue that gives you worldbuilding details, hints about upcoming bosses, or even passive stat boosts.
- Backtracking Pays Off: Some areas change over time or become accessible later. Revisit old zones after major story events.
- Use Your Dash Smartly: Dashing helps you move faster and can be used to avoid environmental hazards. Some hidden paths require precise movement.
Combat Tips
The combat system in Clair Obscur is fast-paced and challenging, rewarding strategic thinking and careful timing. Here are some tips to help you during fights:
- Blocking is Key: You can block most incoming damage with good timing, even some boss-level attacks. Mastering this mechanic can save your life.
- Use Free Aim: Free aim is very good if timed right. Use it to smash enemy shields easily. This move allows you to not waste any actual attack, but instead you just spend one action point to smash the shield.
- Watch for Action Prompts: During enemy turns, be ready for button prompts to block or counter. This adds a reactive element to otherwise turn-based combat.
- Character Synergy: Some characters naturally work better together. Experiment with different party setups to discover hidden combos and buffs.
- Cooldown Awareness: Special abilities can have long cooldowns. Don’t blow your best skills early unless you’re sure you won’t need them again soon.
- Resting Respawns Enemies: If you are in trouble, you can rest and heal your party. However, this comes at a price, as all enemies will respawn.
- Use your Gun: The gun is a really good mechanic. It will help you shoot at enemy weak points, and hit enemies who are good at dodging your other attacks.
Stats, Health, and Progression
Your stats and health management are extremely important to survive the dangerous world of Clair Obscur. Understanding how progression works can make the difference between life and death. Here’s what you need to know:
- Your HP Doesn’t Regenerate Automatically: Make sure to keep healing items stocked, and use rest points when you find them.
- Leveling Up Isn’t Always Linear: Sometimes stat boosts come from gear, interactions, or story choices. Keep an eye on all aspects of character progression.
- Status Effects Matter: Don’t ignore minor debuffs. Some of them stack and can be devastating over time.
- Manage Your Resources: Healing and revival items can be limited. Don’t waste them on easy fights. Save them for bosses or multiphase encounters.
- Lumina and Pictos: The game does not give you any proper explanation for those.
- Pictos are like relics you can equip that give you passive stat boosts and bonus effects.
- Lumina points are used to unlock Pictos effect available under the Lumina menu. If a bonus or passive is not shown under the Lumina menu, it means it will not activate.
Secrets, Optional Bosses & Side Content
There’s more to Clair Obscur than meets the eye! After around 30 hours of main story, you get access to over 30 hours of additional content! Hidden secrets, tough optional bosses, and side stuff can provide rewards and add depth to the story. If you’re looking to dive deeper into the game, these tips will help you uncover everything it has to offer:
- Look for Distorted Areas: These zones often hide powerful optional bosses, secret lore entries, or rare loot.
- Some Bosses Only Appear Once: Don’t skip them thinking they will return later. If you suspect something strange is about to happen, save first.
- Hidden Characters: There are recruitable characters not tied to the main quest. Pay attention to side stories or seemingly unimportant NPCs. In doubt, talk to literally everyone.
- Challenge Encounters: Some fights don’t reward XP but offer gear, unique lore, or changes to the story path. Choose wisely.
- Always Help Nevrons: During your exploration, you will come across unique Nevrons who are painted in white. You can decide to attack them, or help them. You should always help. Each one will require you to find an item. They are usually located not far from them. Completing their Help quest will grant you rare items such as weapons, and other resources.
In the end, the most important tip we can give you is to take your time, explore every corner, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is full of mystery and beauty. The journey may be terrifying, but it’s one you’ll never forget.
